kinds of organizations, as well as individuals, and The Garden 
Club of America is being looked up to, to help in Horticulture, 
Conservation, Civics and so forth. But first and foremost is our 
key note, ' ' Gardening as a Fine Art. ' ' No matter what wc do, 
do let us remember that we are one of the few societies which 
stands for the fine art of gardening. It hardly seems as if we 
could exist unless we are willing to take a big part in our 
country's making, but to do this we need help — help from all, 
and the use of your splendid brains. This is essential for other- 
wise we shall drop out, and if we cannot meet these demands the 
other growing organizations will take our place. "With this 
large body of enthusiastic women and men surely there is a 
keen realization that this is not the time to stand still. We can- 
not. The Garden Club op America was born to live and grow 
in accomplishments. 
The Secretary will tell you many of the details of our daily 
work. 
And now I take pleasure in asking Mrs. Newell to say a word 
of welcome, for without our two Hostess Clubs we should not 
have had this wonderful opportunity to be present at a meeting 
which is steadily unraveling to us unknown beauties. 
Katherine C. Sloan. 
Mrs. Speaking for the Officers and Members of the Garden Club 
Newell 's °^ Cleveland and the Shaker Lakes Garden Club, it is my great 
Address of privilege to welcome you all to this, the Ninth Annual Meeting 
Welcome °^ The GU-Rden Club of America. 
Were this a political organization I might hope to offer you 
the freedom of the City, but I can only extend to you the free- 
dom of our homes and gardens, which I do with the greatest 
pleasure. 
This community you have come to is closely linked with New 
England, was known as the Western Reserve and settled by 
colonists from Connecticut. The Valley and River which we 
are now facing "is called the Chagrin — so named because the 
first white men to explore this fertile valley, after proceeding a 
few miles up the stream, came upon some falls which prevented 
further progress and they were filled with chagrin — hence the 
name. 
A mile or more across the valley from us stands the Mormon 
Temple founded by Joseph Smith in 1831. 
These Mormons today call themselves Latter Day Saints and 
are non-polygamous, so do not feel alarmed at their proximity. 
It may be pertinent to add that in those early times the Mormon 
High Council adopted the following resolution — "That we 
discountenance the use of ardent spirits in any way — to sell, 
or to be brought into this place for sale." 
There were some thousands of these people in this vicinity 
330 
